No local police as chief awaits reciprocity certification

RANDOLPH – Randolph will continue to be without local police service until its new police chief is certified.

Kannesha Nept was hired to replace Pat Eller as Randolph’s police chief and started mid-March. Although Eller was set to retire March 31, he stayed on an extra month to allow Nept to complete the required reciprocity paperwork to become a certified law enforcement officer in Nebraska.

When April 30 rolled around, Eller exited and Nept remained uncertified.

Tony Backer worked under Eller as a part-time officer but resigned from the police department last week.

Randolph Mayor Dwayne Schutt said the reciprocity process to certify Nept as a law enforcement officer in Nebraska takes time.

“I don’t think there has been any delays,” he said.

But Schutt also said both Nept and Eller were “sort of” on the payroll during the same time due to assuming Nept would be certified sooner.

Both Eller and Nept’s salaries are more than $60,000 annually.

According to the Nebraska Crime Commission, the reciprocity exam includes both physical and cognitive tests. Each applicant gets two opportunities to pass each exam.

Reciprocity exams are held once a month with one held April 30 and the next one set for May 21.

City Administrator Sheila Korth said she couldn’t comment about the testing and Nept did not return a phone call to the Times Monday.

Schutt advised Cedar County Sheriff Larry Koranda of the situation last week.

Unfortunately, Koranda said, the sheriff’s department is severely short staffed itself, down three deputies from a full roster.

“We will attempt to do some patrolling but it might not be as frequently as we would like,” Koranda said. “We are stretched thin and have a lot of miles to cover.”

The Nebraska State Patrol may assist, along with the sheriff’s department, until Nept can become certified, Koranda said.

In the meantime, the agencies won’t enforce any city ordinances like a police chief would as county and state law enforcement only have the authority to enforce state statutes, Koranda said.

At this time, the sheriff’s office won’t be seeking any additional funding from the City of Randolph for extra patrolling.

“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel with getting a police chief hired and trying to get her fully certified,” Koranda said. “In the interim, we will be covering calls as they arise, but if it continues we might have to negotiate something down the road.”

Koranda said Randolph’s current situation is similar to Coleridge which has been without a police chief for some time. In that town, an ordinance officer appointed by the village board president works with the city attorney to enforce ordinances.

In November, the Randolph City Council approved the purchase of a new police vehicle - a 2023 Ram 1500 Classic pickup truck for $42,000. The vehicle has been parked on the side of the city administration building since April 30.

Schutt encourages residents to contact him with any comments or concerns.